Touchdowns will come in bunches and defense will be at a premium when Portland State (1-3, 1-0 Big Sky) travels to Cheney, Wash., to face off against Eastern Washington.
Football preview – Portland State at Eastern Washington
Touchdowns will come in bunches and defense will be at a premium when Portland State (1-3, 1-0 Big Sky) travels to Cheney, Wash., to face off against Eastern Washington.
Eastern Washington (3-0, 1-0 Big Sky) has a potent offense led by sophomore quarterback Matt Nichols. The young signal caller heads the number one pass efficient and total offense in the Big Sky, directly behind Viking quarterback Brian White in passing yards per game, with 255.3 yards to White’s 300 yards.
The Eagles’ passing attack will challenge a down-and-out defense plagued by injuries that is unable to stop allowing huge chunks of yardage. Viking safeties Jake Fetzer and Benny Schenk were held out against San Diego State with staph infections, which partially resulted in the Aztecs passing for 443 yards and four long touchdowns.
Portland State’s passing defense, last in the Big Sky, may receive some relief as Fetzer and Schenk have been practicing this week, though their status will be uncertain until kickoff.
Other injuries on defense include the loss of inside linebacker Andy Shantz, who is Portland State’s second leading tackler. Shantz has a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will miss at least four weeks.
The biggest challenge for the Viking offense will be beating an Eastern Washington secondary that is tops in the Big Sky. Through three games, the Eagles are first in turnover margin with nine interceptions and are second only to nine-time defending Big Sky champion Montana in pass defense.
Last year, Portland State destroyed Eastern Washington 34-0 at PGE Park. This year, it seems like it might be an exciting shootout, with the team that has the ball last winning the game.
“We were really showed up when we played Portland State last year,” said Paul Wulff, Eastern Washington’s head coach. “They have a very talented football team coming to town and a team that is very explosive based on their offensive scheme. It’s going to be a heck of a challenge for our entire football team.”
